Return of International Travel Drives up Hotel Bookings for Christmas: SiteMinder

Hotel bookings for the days leading up to Christmas, 21-25 December, are up significantly from last year—as much as 43% in Germany—shows new data from SiteMinder, the world’s leading hotel distribution and revenue platform. The surge is being driven by growth in international bookings over the month of December, which have risen as much as 26% in Indonesia and 15% in the United States.The rises complement a year-on-year increase in both length of stay and booking lead time during the Christmas week, showing grown confidence in international travel and a return to people booking further in advance.

Cornell Report: The State of Gender Equality in the Travel and Hospitality Industry

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an area of intense focus and scrutiny across the travel and hospital industry. Gender diversity, especially, is capturing attention because women represent a significant share of industry employees. A key industry theme is the challenges women face in obtaining promotions, earning the same salaries as men, and ascending into corporate leadership positions.

Mandarin Oriental To Manage and Rebrand Conservatorium Hotel, Amsterdam in January 2026

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the option to sign two iconic additions to its portfolio of exceptional hotels from early 2025: Hôtel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The acceptance of the offer is subject to the completion of a consultation process with the relevant Works Councils, which will begin shortly. The Conservatorium Hotel is set to be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam in January 2026, following a comprehensive upgrade (the hotel will stay open during that period).

Mandarin Oriental to Manage Hôtel Lutetia Paris

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the option to sign two iconic additions to its portfolio of exceptional hotels from early 2025: Hôtel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The acceptance of the offer is subject to the completion of a consultation process with the relevant Works Councils, which will begin shortly. Following completion of the transaction, Hôtel Lutetia will be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris.

What Does the Next European Commission Mean for Business Travel?

The European Union faced profound challenges under the previous Commission’s mandate, navigating global health crises and geopolitical upheaval while balancing climate commitments with economic competitiveness. As the Commission entered a new mandate on 1st December 2024, with Greek Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas in charge of ‘Sustainable Transport and Tourism’, the business travel sector readies itself for changes that could reshape the industry’s future.

Hospitality Industry to Reduce Food-Related Emissions by 30% by 2030: A Groundbreaking White Paper Reveals How

The recently unveiled white paper ’Decarbonising Hotel Food Systems’ provides a roadmap for the global hospitality industry to cut food-related emissions by 30% by 2030, potentially reducing up to 70 million tonnes of CO2 annually. The paper was produced by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, the Sustainable Markets Initiative, and Systemiq. It underscores that hotels, representing 1% of all food production emissions and generating 3% of global food waste, can significantly influence the global food system by optimizing energy use and leveraging their procurement power.

The 2025 Hotelier’s Planning Calendar: Your Essential Guide to Hotel Management & Industry Events

The 2025 Hotelier’s Planning Calendar is a must-have tool for hotel owners and management teams who want to stay organized, track important operational deadlines, and attend key global hospitality events. Whether you’re managing daily operations or planning long-term strategies, this comprehensive calendar provides everything you need to keep your team aligned and on track throughout the year.